NYDN: Idzik wants Smith to start

The New York Jets drafted Geno Smith to one day take over for Mark Sanchez.

Smith, a second-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, is a favorite of new general manager John Idzik. According to the New York Daily News, it’s no secret that he wants Smith to beat out Sanchez.

Geno Smith made a pass against the Texas Longhorns (Getty Images)

The story indicates that Idzik hopes that Smith knocks Sanchez off the roster. And this has been no secret since David Garrard retired.

Garrad was brought in to compete with Sanchez, but that didn’t last long, as he had to retire. Then, the Jets brought in Smith to compete with the struggling Sanchez.

Right now, Sanchez will get the ball this weekend for the Jets exhibition opener. And Smith is expected to get the start for the second preseason game.

The top performer of both games will get the call for the third preseason game. And the quarterback, who leads the Jets in the third game, will likely get the starting job for the season opener.

Through 14 practices, Smith has thrown only one interception. But, on the other hand, Sanchez has been acting like he did in the past four seasons with the Jets by throwing interceptions left and right.

Last season, Sanchez played in 15 games, and made 246 completions for 2,883 yards. He had 18 interceptions to his 13 touchdown passes.

He has had double-digit interceptions in his career with 20 picks in his rookie campaign in 2009. Then, he had 13 interceptions in 2010, before having back-to-back 18 interception seasons in 2011 and 2012.

He had a career-high 26 touchdowns in 2011.

Smith, on the other hand, had 21 interceptions in his entire four-year career at West Virginia. He also had 98 touchdowns in those four years.

In 44 games with the Mountaineers, he completed 988 passes for 11,662 yards. Last season, in his final season at West Virginia, he threw for 4,205 yards and had 42 touchdowns to 6 interceptions in 13 games.